A buddy and I are coming into town next week for the Rags game. Any suggestions on pre-game and post-game places for food/drinks, etc. Will also be looking for attractions/Pens related shops to visit on Sat. and then a night out on the South Side. Any help and/or suggestions would be appreciated.

South Side can be kind of a zoo on Saturday nights with crowded bars and drunk 20-somthings. If that's your thing, the have at it. If not, Station Square or South Side works offers some decent dinner/drink options in a more adult atmosphere, and I believe each have a Pens Gear store.

Superbowl on 5th Ave is right across from the arena and is good for pre-game dinner and drinks. Burgers, sandwiches and stuff is the fare.

Great58 wrote:South Side can be kind of a zoo on Saturday nights with crowded bars and drunk 20-somthings. If that's your thing, the have at it. If not, Station Square or South Side works offers some decent dinner/drink options in a more adult atmosphere, and I believe each have a Pens Gear store.

Superbowl on 5th Ave is right across from the arena and is good for pre-game dinner and drinks. Burgers, sandwiches and stuff is the fare.

The Sharp Edge; Plenty of beer choices and it is downtown. I would order at the bar. I also like the tap room, located in the William Penn Hotel.Station Square has penguin gear at Hometown Sports. Consol is the best for official penguin merchandise.

If you're mid-30s or older, stick to the South Side Works. Hofbrahaus, that Irish place whatever it's called. The South Side Works is where sort of non-college idiots go. If you're early 20s, mid 20s, the South Side will be great. Station Square may be an alternative option, as it's more of a young professional crowd. The South Side slums are your Duquesne/Pitt drunkards, it's rarely a good time.

Fatheads, Wingharts are both great food/beer places. Be warned they will be crowded. They are in the heart of the South Side.

For pre-game meals downtown that are within walking distance to the arena I suggest Easy Street in One Oxford Center, downtown. You can park at Macy's for $5, walk to Easy Street, eat, then take the Easy Street shuttle to Consol Energy Center. This is what I normally do.

There is always the Friday's attached to Consol Energy Center, I went there earlier this year and it was fine. Same menu and what not. Got in and out. Market Square is another option. You can take the "T" subway for free anywhere within city limits. Sometimes we go to Market Square, then hop on the "T" at Gateway Station, up to the arena.

Now that the Pens have Iginla, the city is going to be packed with bandwagoners, especially near the playoffs. Everyone's paying attention now.

The T stop at Steel Plaza (if that's what it's still called) is closer to Consol than the stop at Wood St.

And, fwiw, unless you want to avoid walking, I wouldn't go to the T at Gateway Center and just wait for the next car. If I wasn't sure when the next one was coming, I would walk. Outside of weekdays during rush hour, waiting for the next T is not at all guaranteed to be faster than walking.

What is the difference in South Side and South Side Works? Are they located close or entirely different areas? Also, my friend wanted to go to a country bar. I remember seeing one. Is this in the south side?Thanks!

Steve Dave wrote:What is the difference in South Side and South Side Works? Are they located close or entirely different areas? Also, my friend wanted to go to a country bar. I remember seeing one. Is this in the south side?Thanks!

I think he's talking about Saddleridge, and that's actually in Station Square I believe.

South Side Works is at the very end of what's considered the "South Side," where the main drag of bars are on Carson Street. It's closer to an area called Homestead. If you enter the South Side on East Carson Street, and are heading East, you will run into the South Side Works around South 23rd Street.

llipgh2 wrote:Go to Cafe Fifth Avenue before the game. Far less zoo like than the Super Bowl and much better food and beer. Not expensive, either.

Just up the street from the Super Bowl. Red goal light in front.

Cafe Fifth is great, but get there early. It can get full and likely will before an important Friday night game. It's not unheard of for them to refuse entry when it gets full, even if you just want a drink at the bar.